Abstract

[ANGLÈS] In the field of port and coastal engineering there are multiple proposals that aim to
improve and optimize the offshore structures design. In fact, the complexity of working
with the phenomena of nature and its strong randomness requires that past experiences,
trial and error, and scale tests, are the methods to expand the technical and improve
structures design such as vertical dikes.
The purpose of this work is to introduce and develop the behavior of a vertical structure
to the main variables that affect its stability, with a special emphasis on uplift
component.
The uplift is a force that depends on the wave period and design wave height. These two
variables, at the same time, are dependent of propagation and breakage. It conditions the
applicability of vertical breakwater in certain circumstances, such as shallow waters,
since the ratio of stabilizing and destabilizing components is adversely affected due to
the low weight of the monolith and generally increasing the uplift forces.
Then, reducing the uplift pressure can be a tremendous advantage in the stability of a
vertical breakwater. That’s why in this thesis it's an objective to present a range of
applicability to a new constructive solution, which is based on maintaining the main
characteristics of a floating caisson, which are its simple construction and its buoyancy.
This is discussed in various cases of weather wave conditions, the behavior of a vertical
breakwater at different drafts. Thus is what the evolution and behavior of the various
safety factors that compromise the structure. Once done, there is proposed the operation
of the new prototype of floating caisson drilled vertically, which should allow the
dissipation of uplift pressure through the flow through these holes. The principal
variables which mark the correct operation of this prototype are uplift pressure and
weight, therefore, the next step is to quantify relationship between these components
which is adequate to ensure stability of the structure.
Finally, once known conditions of applicability and performance required in the new
floating caisson prototype, is tried to quantify the true relationship between mass and
reduction of uplift that can be reached by the new design.
This will conclude the feasibility of the constructive solution, since it will know if the
minimum performance requirements can be achieved, and if so, the possible
optimization that can translate into reduced volume of material or overall improvement
in stability.